coordinated life-saving assistance and strengthened the resilience of children and families through a range of short- and long-term interventions, including...
Every child, no matter where they live, has the right to safe water and sanitation.
In Ethiopia, access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services remains limited, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas. According to UNICEF, only about 43% of the population has access to basic drinking water services, and just 7% have access to safely managed sanitation. These gaps contribute significantly to the spread of waterborne diseases, which remain a leading cause of illness and death among children under five.
To tackle these challenges, ChildFund implements comprehensive WASH interventions at both household and community levels. Our efforts focus on increasing access to safe and sustainable water sources, promoting hygiene education, improving sanitation facilities in schools and communities, and strengthening local systems for water resource management and waste management. By doing so, we aim to reduce the burden of preventable diseases and ensure children grow up in healthier, more dignified environments.
Our Impact
288,269
including students and community members, gained access to safe water through newly constructed or rehabilitated facilities.
4,500+
students benefited from the construction of gender-sensitive toilets in 6 schools across the Tigray and Amhara regions.
8
schools had their water systems rehabilitated, including pipeline extensions, construction and maintenance of water points, installation of handwashing basins, and water reservoirs.
500
received dignity kits, each containing reusable sanitary pads, underwear, soap, and menstrual hygiene education materials—all packed in personal bags.
Facts and figures from 2025 data.
Our Approach
We believe everyone should access resilient water, sanitation and hygiene services that help support sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives in a changing environment. In the past 5 years we have reached more than 2 million households with safe water access, and more than 500 schools have built gender-separated toilets following our interventions. WASH reinforces our mission by greatly improving the health, and promoting food security and livelihoods and resilience of communities.
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We create sustainable water supply services and water resources in communities by constructing and rehabilitating water points, drilling and equipping boreholes and shallow wells, and laying pipeline extensions.
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We promote integrated and gender-sensitive WASH in schools.
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We are champions of waste-for-wealth in the Circular Economy initiatives
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We respond to humanitarian needs, strengthening disaster resilience
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We collaborate with partners to promote WASH good governance, systems strengthening and social accountability
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We collaborate with government agencies to ensure technical oversight in the design, construction, quality control and maintenance of water systems for sustainability.
Featured Project
ChildFund response to drought emergency in Oromia Region
Faced with the worst drought in 50 years, Ethiopia’s Oromia Region was severely impacted by the 2016 El Niño-induced crisis, which triggered widespread food insecurity and left over 10.2 million people in urgent need of emergency food assistance. In response to this unprecedented humanitarian emergency, the Ethiopian government and partners launched a $1.6 billion appeal to address critical needs.
ChildFund, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), European Union European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the International Rescue Committee, and GOAL, mobilized to support affected communities in Oromia. Together, we delivered coordinated life-saving assistance and strengthened the resilience of children and families through a range of short- and long-term interventions, including food aid, water and sanitation support, child protection services, and livelihood recovery programs.
ChildFund response to drought.
In collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), European Union European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the International Rescue Committee, and GOAL, ChildFund responded to the 2016 drought emergency in Oromia Region.
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After more than two years of war, calm has returned to northern Ethiopia's Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions.
Our commitment is to help these children rebuild their futures by restoring access to education and other essential services, ensuring...
